Improvement in life-preserving mattresses



JOHN ADAMS.

Improvement in Life Preserving Mattress.

Patented Apr iH6,1872.

Ulvrrnn STATES PATENT QFFIOE.

JOHN ADAMS, OF GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIFE-PRESERVING MATTRESSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125, 7 9, dated April16, 1872.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, JOHN ADAMS, of Gloucester, in the county of Camdenand State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful ImprovedLife-Preserving Mattress; and I do hereby declare the following to be aclear and exact description of the nature thereof, sufficient to enableothers-skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fullyunderstand and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a topView of the device illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom viewthereof. Fig. 3 is a side view.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in theseveral figures.

My invention consists of a single mattress, of the ordinary form andconstruction of a bed or sleeping mattress, in connection with abuoymattress, and transverse straps which unite the two parts in onecompact bundle, and atford holds for the hands, and feet of theoccupant.

teferring to the drawing, A represents a mattress or float, constructedof a suitable sack or bag containing cork blocks or shavings, or otherproper buoyant substance. B represents an ordinary bed-mattress, havingcork, hair,or other filling, and placed on top of the mattress A. Thetwo are held together by a series of straps or bands 0, which, in thepresent case, extend around the two mattresses. The compound mattressthus formed should be of such size that it will fit the bedstead, berth,bunk, or place to which it is applied.

It will be seen that the mattress constitutes a comfortable bed. Theoccupant will be aware lifts the compound mattress from its place bymeans of the straps O and throws it overboard. He can rest thereon thefull length of his body and place his feet between one of the straps Oand the top of the mattress. If desired, he can place his body under themiddle strap. The other strap affords ready means for holding on'by hishands. In this manner said occupant can remain securely on the mattress.The upper mattress will set out of water, and thus keep the occupantabove its level, and in cases of rough water protect him against entiresubmersion.

The bed-mattress is easily detachable for cleansing orreversingpurposes.In such cases it is only necessary to loosen the straps G, and thebuoyant mattress need not be disturbed.

I am aware that a floating mattress is not new, and that the same hasbeen constructed of a series of mattresses strapped together, andarranged in sections and tiers, forming a buoyant raft, the entire raftconsisting of numerous jointed pieces, which bend with the motions ofthe waves, and is intended for and adapted to be used only as a raft butmy in-' vention is always doubly prepared or ready, either as a sleepingmattress or a life-preserver, and within the control of the occupant ofthe bed or berth.

I, therefore, claim as an improvement The life-preservin g mattressherein described,

October, 1871.

JOHN ADAMS. Witnesses:

J OHN A. WmnnRsHmM, PERcY V. KNEASS. I

